On Tuesday in Ile Ife Osun State two people lost their lives in what is being described as a violent cult clash The confrontation reportedly began during a birthday celebration in the Ita Osa area along Ondo Road a neighborhood said to be primarily controlled by members of the Aye Confraternity .
The Victims Identities and Alleged Motivations
One of the deceased is identified as Jamo a well known member of the Buccaneers confraternity According to reports Jamo worked as a shoemaker and was celebrating his birthday when he was attacked .
According to conflicting narratives from different sides the Buccaneers claim that Jamos death was not motivated by any prior conflict and that his only offence was being a member of a rival cult and celebrating in Aye dominated territory The Aye members allege that Jamo was a deliberate target Some local residents especially non cultists have accused members of Aye including their local leadership of oppressive behaviour extortion and violence in the area .
Aftermath Retaliation and Escalation
Following Jamos killing Buccaneers are said to have retaliated They reportedly killed at least one known Aye member identified as OJ Mecho in the Asikolaye neighborhood Beyond that two additional individuals were reportedly killed in the subsequent violence though their identities and whether they were cultists or bystanders remain unconfirmed .
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In another concerning development local reports claim someone was shot in the stomach at a community school in the same Ita Osa area The identities of both the shooter and the victim are currently unknown adding to the fear and uncertainty in the community .
Police Response
The Osun State Police Command confirmed that two lifeless bodies were recovered from the site of the conflict A tactical police team has been deployed to the area to prevent any further reprisals and to apprehend those responsible .
Community Tensions
According to local commentators residents especially in Ita Osa are deeply fearful The area is reportedly saturated with Aye influence and some non cultists say they have faced systematic extortion and intimidation from local Aye members .
At the same time Buccaneers insist that this attack was unprovoked pointing out that Jamo was harmlessly celebrating his birthday not making any overt show of power or aggression The conflicting stories suggest that ideological control territorial dominance and historical cult rivalries are all at play .
Historical Context Ile Ife and Cult Violence
This is not the first time Ile Ife has experienced cult related violence In June 2024 a suspected cultist was killed along Ondo Road after being shot in the head while purchasing an item allegedly by rival cultists Cult violence in the region has often involved Nigeria’s well known confraternities such as Aye Eiye and Buccaneers .
What This Means
The incident highlights how cultism remains a volatile force in some Nigerian communities particularly when rival confraternities operate in close proximity Birthday parties and other social gatherings typically spaces for celebration can turn deadly when they intersect with gang or cult rivalries The rapid escalation from a personal event to a full blown violent clash underscores lingering animosity and mistrust between cult groups The police response while prompt must balance arresting perpetrators with calming community fears and preventing retaliation .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources Readers should cross check updates from official news outlets .